Dielectric-patch resonator antenna

Abstract

A dielectric-patch resonator antenna having a resonator formed from a dielectric material mounted on a ground plane with a conductive skirt, and a patch element disposed inbetween. The ground plane and patch are formed from conductive materials. First and second probes are electrically coupled to the resonator for providing first and second signals, respectively, to or receiving from the resonator. The first and second probes are spaced apart from each other. The first and second probes are formed of conductive strips that are electrically connected to the perimeter of the resonator and are substantially orthogonal with respect to the ground plane. A dual band antenna can be constructed by positioning and connecting two dielectric resonator antennas together. Each resonator in the dual band configuration resonates at a particular frequency, thereby providing dual band operation. The resonators can be positioned either side by side or vertically.

What we claim as the invention is:  
     
         1 . A dielectric-patch resonator antenna, comprising: 
 a dielectric resonator formed from a dielectric material; and    a ground plane formed of a conductive material supporting said dielectric resonator; and    a patch element disposed between and in contact with said dielectric material and ground plane.    
     
     
         2 . The antenna according to  claim 1 , wherein said dielectric resonator is shaped as a right cylinder, said ground plane is substantially flat over a central portion.  
     
     
         3 . The antenna according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one signal probe electrically coupled to said resonator to transfer signals to and from said resonator, and produce circularly polarized radiation in said antenna.  
     
     
         4 . The antenna according to  claim 4 , wherein said probe is substantially orthogonal to said ground plane and said patch element.  
     
     
         5 . The antenna according to  claim 1 , wherein said resonator is formed of a ceramic material.  
     
     
         6 . The antenna according to  claim 6 , wherein the dielectric constant ∈ r  of said ceramic material is greater than 10.  
     
     
         7 . The antenna according to  claim 1 , wherein said resonator is substantially non-circular in cross section.  
     
     
         8 . The antenna according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second dielectric resonator positioned on said ground plane.  
     
     
         9 . The antenna according to  claim 1 , wherein said ground plane further comprises a support substrate and a layer of conductive material deposited on said substrate.  
     
     
         10 . The antenna according to  claim 9 , wherein said substrate comprises a multi-layered circuit board.  
     
     
         11 . A dual band dielectric-patch resonator antenna, comprising: 
 a first resonator formed of a dielectric material;    a first ground plane formed of a conductive material on which said first resonator is mounted,    a patch element disposed between and in contact with said first resonator dielectric material and ground plane;    a second resonator formed of a dielectric material; and    a second ground plane formed of a conductive material on which said second resonator is mounted, said first and second ground planes being separated from each other by a predetermined distance.    
     
     
         12 . The dual band antenna according to  claim 11 , further comprising first and second probes electrically coupled to each of said resonators spaced approximately 90 degrees apart around the perimeter of each resonator providing first and second signals, respectively, to each resonator, 
 wherein each of said resonators resonates in a predetermined frequency band that differs between said resonators.    
     
     
         13 . The dual band antenna according to  claim 11 , further comprising support members for mounting said first and second ground planes in spaced apart relation with a predetermined separation distance such that the central axes if said resonators are substantially aligned with each other.